Personal Protective Equipment
Buying Guide
Welcome to our comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guide, designed to empower you with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions when selecting safety gear for your workplace. From head to toe, we've curated a range of essential PPE categories to ensure you have the protection you need in any work environment.
Head Protection
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Eye Protection
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Hearing Protection
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Respiratory protection
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Hand Protection
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Workwear
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Footwear
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Head Protection
In industries like construction, where heavy materials are frequently handled, ensuring appropriate head protection is paramount. Depending on your specific field of work, here's what you should have on hand:
Industrial safety helmets
Engineered to absorb shock and resist penetration, industrial safety helmets offer crucial protection against heavy impacts to the head. Ideal for safeguarding against falling hazards and sharp or pointed objects, these helmets are a must-have for static users.
Face shields
Providing comprehensive coverage for the face, face shields offer protection against infections and guard against droplets and liquid splashes.
Industrial bump caps
Designed to shield against bumps and scrapes, industrial bump caps are perfect for protecting against static objects, such as walking into hanging obstructions. They also offer defence against sharp and pointed objects. However, in environments where falling objects pose a hazard, opting for an industrial safety helmet is advisable.
Remember, safety helmets have a shelf life of five years from the date of manufacture, as indicated inside the peak of the helmet. Any involvement in an accident, whether minor or severe, within this period necessitates replacement. Regular inspection is crucial, especially for signs of wear and tear. If damage is detected, replace the helmet promptly to ensure continued protection.
Explore our range of head protection gear to discover the essential safety solutions you require.
Eye Protection
When it comes to safeguarding your eyes, it's crucial to recognise the diverse array of risks they face in industrial settings. To ensure adequate protection, it's essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the specifications of your chosen protective eyewear. European Standards govern the evaluation of safety eyewear:
EN166
This is the standard assessment that guarantees products meet the mandatory minimum requirements for wearability and safety. Any further assessments aimed at achieving a higher hazard protection rating are optional.
EN170
This standard covers the full spectrum of UV protection. Lenses bearing codes 2 and 3 indicate compliance with EN170, providing assurance against harmful UV rays.
EN172
Specifically addressing the need for solar protection in industrial environments, EN172 sets the benchmark for shielding against solar radiation. Lenses marked with codes 5 and 6 signify adherence to EN172 standards, ensuring your eyes are shielded from the harmful effects of solar exposure.
By investing in eyewear that meets these stringent standards, you not only ensure optimal wearability but also prioritise the safety and well-being of your eyes in any working environment.
Discover our extensive selection of safety glasses for comprehensive safety solutions.
Hearing Protection
Protecting your ears from workplace noise is crucial to prevent serious hearing issues, including potential hearing loss. Begin by assessing the noise levels in your workplace and determining the appropriate level of protection based on the SNR (Single Number Rating) of the protective equipment. Each hearing protection product is assigned an SNR, allowing for easy comparison of protection levels among different options. In essence, the higher the SNR level, the greater the protection offered by the product:
| Noise Level | Minimum SNR | Ideal SNR | Maximum SNR |
| 85 dB | 5 | 9 - 14 | 18 |
| 90 dB | 10 | 14 - 19 | 23 |
| 95 dB | 15 | 19 - 24 | 28 |
| 100 dB | 20 | 24 - 29 | 33 |
| 105 dB | 25 | 29 - 34 | 38 |
| 110 dB | 30 | 34 - 39 | 43 |
Whether you're considering ear plugs or ear muffs, always ensure that the SNR level of the ear protection aligns with the noise level of your workplace. This ensures effective protection against harmful noise exposure and promotes a safer working environment.
Ready to safeguard your ears in your workplace environment? Explore our ear defenders collection now.
Respiratory Protection
For industries dealing with hazardous particles, investing in respiratory protection is imperative.
FFP masks
For industries dealing with hazardous particles like dusts, mists, or fumes, investing in FFP (Filtering Facepiece) masks is imperative. These masks are classified with a number ranging from 1 to 3, indicating their level of protection against airborne particles. The higher the number, the more effectively the mask filters out particles from the air.
Half mask respirator
If you're working in an environment where you may be exposed to gases, vapours or particles, it's important to protect yourself with the right equipment. Half mask respirators provide reusable protection with replaceable cartridges or filters.
Selecting the appropriate respiratory protection based on the level of hazard in your workplace ensures effective protection and promotes a safer work environment for all.
You will find these in our extensive face masks & respirators assortment.
Hand protection
Ensuring proper hand protection is vital, whether guarding against abrasions, chemicals, or impacts. Take the time to thoroughly assess the risks associated with your job to select the most suitable hand gloves. Hand protective equipment undergo testing according to EN 388:2016 and EN ISO 374:2016 standards, which provide valuable insights into the features of your gloves:
Abrasion resistance
Protects against wear and tear caused by friction and surface contact.
Cut resistance
Guards against cuts and lacerations from sharp objects or tools.
Tear resistance
Prevents tearing or ripping when subjected to stretching or pulling forces.
Puncture resistance
Shields against puncture wounds from sharp or pointed objects.
Chemical resistance
Provides a barrier against harmful chemicals, preventing skin irritation or chemical burns.
Protection against micro-organisms, bacteria, and virus penetration
Offers defence against biological hazards, reducing the risk of contamination and infection.
By considering these factors, you can choose gloves that offer comprehensive protection tailored to the specific hazards of your work environment. Prioritising hand safety enhances overall workplace safety and minimises the risk of hand injuries.
Discover the perfect protection for your hands within our selection of safety gloves. For help finding the perfect glove size, refer to our convenient table here.
Workwear
When it comes to selecting the appropriate workwear, it's essential to understand the nuanced categories based on levels of protection and risk. Workwear isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; rather, it's tailored to meet specific safety requirements and mitigate various hazards encountered in diverse work environments. These categories serve as crucial guidelines for both employers and employees in ensuring optimal safety measures are in place:
- Category I: This includes protective equipment with a simple design, offering basic protection against minimal risks that the user can assess independently. Examples include rainwear.
- Category II: Neither simple nor overly complex, this category provides protection against intermediate risks. Items such as high-visibility garments, kneepads, heat and flame-resistant clothing, and saw protection fall into this category.
- Category III: Reserved for protective equipment with a complex design, offering defence against mortal danger or serious and irreversible injuries. These items are crucial in situations where the user cannot identify risks in sufficient time, such as garments protecting against electric arcs.
Within our assortment, you'll find a comprehensive range of protective workwear options:
High visibility clothing
Ensure your safety with our high-visibility workwear. This gear keeps you visible day and night, offering essential protection.
Industry clothing
Lightweight and supple garments that prioritise the wearer's comfort and mobility above all else.
Profile clothing
Complete your wardrobe with uniform business clothing. Available in various colours, these pieces match most of our collections.
Wind, rain, snow clothing
Our wind, rain, and cold workwear are designed to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable throughout your day. Find the perfect match for your professional needs.
Disposable clothing
Stay protected and maintain hygiene standards with our range of disposable clothing. These garments provide a reliable barrier against contamination while offering hassle-free disposal.
Kneepads
Protect your knees during strenuous tasks with our range of kneepads. Designed for comfort and support, these pads offer reliable protection, ensuring you can work safely and efficiently.
Explore our comprehensive selection of workwear for ultimate safety in the workplace.
Footwear
Safety footwear plays a critical role in providing support and safety measures for work environments where foot safety is paramount. The EN ISO 20345:2011 standard is employed to test the safety of protective footwear, ensuring it meets stringent safety requirements. When selecting footwear, it's essential to check the safety classification indicated on the label, typically found on the inner wash label of the footwear. Here's a breakdown of the marking classifications:
| Marking Classifications | |
| SB | Offers protection with a protective toecap only, suitable for environments without the risk of underfoot damage. |
| S1 | Provides anti-static properties, a fully enclosed seat region, an energy absorption heel unit, and a fuel oil resistant outsole for enhanced safety. |
| S1P | Similar to S1, featuring a penetration resistant midsole, suitable for indoor environments not exposed to outdoor elements. |
| S2 | Resembles S1 but with water-resistant upper materials, ensuring protection against water ingress. |
| S3 | Anti-static with protective toecap and midsole, featuring a water repellent upper, commonly utilised in industrial settings. |
| S4 | Similar to S2 but constructed of polymer or rubber, offering waterproof protection. |
| S5 | Combines features of S3 with polymer or rubber construction, suitable for areas with constant water or liquid presence, ensuring optimal safety. |
These classifications denote specific safety features and levels of protection, aiding in the selection of footwear tailored to the hazards present in the workplace.
Browse our assortment to discover the footwear that best suits your needs.